Orland City Council Minutes – March 7, 2023 1 | P a g e
MINUTES OF THE ORLAND CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 21, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Vice Mayor Roundy at 6:30 PM.
Meeting opened with Pledge of Allegiance
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Matt Romano, John McDermott, Jeffrey Tolley, Vice Mayor Bruce Roundy
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Chris Dobbs
Staff present: City Manager Pete Carr; Assistant City
Manager/Director of Administrative Services Rebecca
Pendergrass; Police Chief Joe Vlach; City Clerk Jennifer Schmitke
Staff present online: City Attorney Greg Einhorn; Public Works Director Ed Vonasek; Recreation Director Joe Fenske; Fire Chief
Justin Chaney; City Engineer Paul Rabo
Vice Mayor Roundy explained that Mayor Dobbs had a family emergency and that was the reason for his absence.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Warrant List (payable obligations)
B. Approve City Council Minutes for February 21, 2023
C. Receive and file Arts Commission Minutes for February 15, 2023 D. Receive and file Recreation Commission Minutes for October 26, 2022 E. Receive and file Public Works and Safety Commission Minutes for April 12, 2022 F. Receive and file Public Works and Safety Commission Minutes for December 13, 2022 Councilmember Tolley mentioned his approval of the entire minutes.
Action: Councilmember McDermott moved, seconded by Councilmember Tolley to approve the consent calendar as presented. The motion carried by a voice vote 4-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
A. CONSIDER ROUNDABOUTS AS A POSSIBLE TRAFFICE MANAGEMENT OPTION Vice Mayor Roundy announced that this item is only a discussion to consider roundabouts as a potential traffic calming measure near and in the City, no locations are being decided upon this evening.
City Manager Carr explained background on traffic safety improvements, traffic circulation policies in the General Plan, and benefits of roundabouts.
Item 4.B.
Orland City Council Minutes – March 7, 2023 2 | P a g e Councilmember McDermott stated that anything that keeps traffic flowing from a public safety standpoint would be a good addition to the community. Councilmember McDermott is very interested in what the public has to say about this topic.
Councilmember Romano shared some statistics: 35% fewer accidents occur in a roundabout, 76% fewer accidents with injuries occur in roundabouts and there is a 90% reduction of fatality accidents that occur in roundabouts. Councilmember Romano stated that a roundabout is a huge public safety tool. He explained the City wants to move the trucks through and stopped signals do not move them through.
Councilmember Romano stated signaled intersection create points of high intensity and conflict where big accidents happen. Councilmember Romano shared he likes the idea of roundabouts and is interested in what the community has to say about them.
Councilmember Tolley stated he does not like change, but he agreed with both Councilmembers Romano and McDermott’s comments. Councilmember Tolley shared that he likes the efficiency of roundabouts but questioned the safety of pedestrians crossing. Mr. Carr shared those pedestrians will cross at the pedestrian crossing “refuge” island that is before the entrance to the roundabout.
Vice Mayor Roundy reminded Council that a nice feature of a roundabout is that drivers are only traveling one way, allowing pedestrians and drivers to only have to look one way. Vice Mayor Roundy shared that the Caltrans representative is listening to what the City needs and is interested in making the traffic situations better.
Monica Rossman, Orland resident, shared that she has many clients that are truck drivers that have mentioned to her that they do not like roundabouts. Ms. Rossman stated she is not for or against roundabouts but explained that the City needs the truckers to get to Pilot. Ms. Rossman asked if the Fire Department’s ladder truck will be able to get around the roundabouts, Councilmember McDermott stated the truck may go on the inside curb, but the truck will go around the roundabout. Ms. Rossman asked that Council put the truckers into consideration when they do vote on a roundabout.
Alex Enriquez, Orland resident, shared his experiences with roundabouts in Chico, stating his commute has been so much quicker and easier without all the stopping. Mr. Enriquez shared he is in favor of roundabouts and stated he has seen trucks move around the roundabouts easily. Mr. Enriquez asked Council that if roundabouts do get approved to consider bicycles and pedestrians when designing the roundabout.
Earl Megginson, Orland resident, shared his experiences with roundabouts and that he would hate to see the City say no to roundabouts.
Trish St. Evans, Orland resident, asked if Caltrans or the City would be putting in the roundabout. Mr.
Carr shared that if the roundabout was on SR32 Caltrans would direct the project, approve standards and specifications.
Donna Grundy, Orland resident, stated the intersection being discussed does need attention but questioned the stop signs at the overpass, asking if they would still be there if a roundabout was built.
Mr. Carr stated that would be subject to the traffic study.
Orland City Council Minutes – March 7, 2023 3 | P a g e Vice Mayor Roundy stated that after listening to the comments from the community members, Council would like to direct staff to consider roundabouts as a potential traffic calming measure near and in the City.
Councilmember Tolley thanked the community members that came out to respond to this topic.
Councilmember Tolley stated he would like Caltrans to show Council the data on cars vs. trucks at the 9th and Newville intersections to show that the project is feasible.
Councilmember McDermott motioned, seconded by Councilmember Romano to direct City staff to consider roundabouts as a potential traffic calming measure near and in the City and to develop the supporting policies and standards that could be developed and brought back to the Council later.
Direction was unanimous among Councilmembers.
B. POTENTIAL EXTENTION OF HAMBRIGHT AVE
Mr. Carr shared that this item is on the agenda because Councilmember Romano asked to have this topic agendized and Council agreed to bring it back to have a discussion. Mr. Carr explained the current status of construction of Hambright.
Mr. Carr mentioned that cities typically do not build streets, developers build streets for conditions of approval on their projects. Developers of residential housing need streets to service their project so they will install streets to City standards as part of the process and cost of the developments, then the City accepts these as City streets.
Mr. Carr shared that the question posed to City staff was why the City doesn’t just build the road. Mr.
Carr explain that the City Engineer estimates that the project would be around $1 million dollars to complete the segment of Hambright.
Councilmember Tolley stated he wants the road extension, but he believes developers should pay for the road and does not want the City to pay for the project.
Councilmember McDermott shared that if money would come from general funds or money must be taken from other projects to pay for the extension, he would like to see developers pay for the project not the City.
Councilmember Romano read policy 3.2.I from the general plan, where it states that the City will ensure emergency access and response to new developments in the City and Planning area and will require circulation improvements that provide a second means of access for police, fire, and medical vehicles.
Councilmember Romano then asked how the original area was built without the second means of access. Mr. Carr explained that the Council at the time of map approval accepted the two entries on Walker Street then explained there will be 4 access points off Walker Street once construction is complete. Councilmember Romano stated that there needs to be a means of access other than Walker street and that 4 points on Walker Street is unacceptable. Councilmember Romano questioned if the City could have forced the developers to complete Hambright. Mr. Carr shared he didn’t believe the City has the power to require the developer to complete a project that was off scope from their development. Councilmember Romano shared that two sub-divisions have turned into an island, and it does not correlate with the general plan. unique. Councilmember Romano shared that the grid design must be maintained in town, and he also stated he wants to be true to the plan and what makes Orland.
Orland City Council Minutes – March 7, 2023 4 | P a g e Councilmember McDermott shared that Heartland and other sub-divisions in the City are blocked in by irrigation canals that are maintained and managed by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Orland Unit Water Users Association (OUWUA) that previously the City was not allowed to cross. Councilmember McDermott stated that until just recently it has been an act of Congress to be able to cross these canals.
Councilmember McDermott stated that the OUWUA board has been amazing to work alongside recently allowing the City to cross laterals which is allowing for more access around town.
Earl Megginson, City resident, asked if the City has the easement on the Hambright extension, Mr. Carr answered yes.
Tiffany Schulps, Orland resident, shared she is not for or against the extension project she just wanted to share her concerns about the traffic and asked that the City consider all the kids that live and play in that area and asked for extra stop signs, speed bumps or anything to slow down traffic in that area.
Vice Mayor Roundy spoke about development in this specific area that years ago was to bring thousands of homes, but the economy and recession caused development to stop. Vice Mayor Roundy stated he see the economy doing the same thing now but is hopeful it passes quickly. Vice Mayor Roundy shared that the City is teaming up more with the Bureau of Reclamation and the OUWUA which he hopes will reduce the cost of development. Vice Mayor Roundy shared his belief is to wait till developers can come in and pay for the extension.
Kyle Goings, Orland resident, shared his experience living in the Whitehawk sub-division and being so close to Lely Park. Mr. Goings voiced his concerns about speeding and parking traffic on both sides of Hambright which leaves a narrow road to drive.
Amanda Samons, Orland resident, stated she appreciated Councilmember McDermott’s view on safety.
Ms. Samons shared she lives in Whitehawk and expressed her concerns with parking around Lely Park and traffic on Hambright.
Vice Mayor Roundy stated that the Recreation Commission will need to look into the parking situation in the area.
Alex Enriquez, Orland resident, stated he agreed with Councilmember Romano’s views and would like to see the sub-divisions that are blocked with only one or two means of access be corrected to add additional access.
Amy Raymondo, Orland resident, shared that she also lives in the Whitehawk Sub-division, and she agrees with her neighbors that there are a lot of safety and traffics concerns with adding the through road.
Councilmember Romano voiced that he has heard all the safety concerns from the residents at the meeting. Councilmember Romano shared some traffic calming solutions to help with parking and traffic concerns and safety such as adding bike lanes, adding striped parking, adding bump outs and stop signs which could help the area right now.
Vice Mayor Roundy suggested bringing the current traffic and safety concerns to the Public Works and Safety Commission to see what they could come up with and bring back to Council.
Orland City Council Minutes – March 7, 2023 5 | P a g e
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
Councilmember McDermott:
• Started Fire Department ticket drive on March 4th, 2023, appreciates all donations from community,
• Orland Fireman’s Ball is March 18th, 2023.
Councilmember Romano:
• Nothing to report.
Councilmember Tolley:
• Nothing to report.
Vice Mayor Roundy:
• Attended a groundwater recharge meeting with City Staff and two reps from the Glenn Groundwater Sustainability Agency,
• LAFCo is cancelled for March,
• Will attend the Transportation and Transit meeting for the month.
MEETING ADJOURED AT 7:47 PM
Jennifer Schmitke, City Clerk Bruce T. Roundy, Vice Mayor